With the dates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls announced, election fever has gripped Tamil Nadu with the two main political parties holding parleys with their allies on seat-sharing.

While AICC general secretary Ghulam [Images] Nabi Azad had informal talks with DMK Chief M Karunanidhi [Images] on the seat-sharing formula for the Lok Sabha elections, an MDMK team met the election team constituted by AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa and had discussions on seat-sharing.

Azad asserted that the Congress would continue its ties with the DMK, despite Jayalalithaa's advice to the grand-old-party to end its alliance with its UPA constituent, if the party wanted to face the polls 'honourably'.

MDMK leaders, led by its parliamentary board member S Doraisamy, discussed seat-sharing arrangements with the AIADMK team, led by party treasurer O Pannerselvam. An AIADMK press release said it was the 'first round' of talks.